Conversations with the Candidates for Governor

Candidate: John Robitaille

John Robitaille has a history in video production. He says, through this experience, he understands the creative industry and the value of professionals in this sector. He began his time with RI CFA telling about his wife's work as an artist and his own background. Robitaille listened well throughout our presentation of the policy briefing book, making notes on his copy.

As we moved into the conversation, we got a glimpse of his position in general. As the Republican running in this race, Robitaille carries a standard party message: RI doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. He positioned his remarks around this sentiment and reiterated his ongoing campaign message of no promises on how money will be spent until a clearer understanding of the state's financial picture is understood.

That being said, he did throw us some bones. While reiterating his postion to "cut wasteful spending on things we can't afford and putting that money into growth areas", he recognized the creative industries as the latter. When asked directly if cutting funds to the RI State Council on the Arts would help adjust the 'spending problem' he mentions? His response: "It's pretty meager right now. We have budget problems of such a magnitude that $100k here and there wouldn't amount to much in terms of what we need to do. And as a business guy, I like to invest in areas where there is potential to grow jobs." He notes our presentation of data key to influencing his thoughts on this, being impressed with the obvious documentation of growth and economic return in the field. "If there's a way to give this a boost, I won't forget it, but I can't honestly promise anything given the mess that I will inherit."

Robitaille talks about "getting it"; understanding the industry by pointing to his work in video production. "I am a writer, a producer, and I've worked with and supervised graphic designers, videographers and the like." He also mentioned a recent visit to Hasbro and being amazed at the people and talent they have brought to RI. "Why not make RI a cluster for creative jobs." He sees the graduates of RISD and other colleges as tapping into core competencies in the state.

In mentioning the 38 Studios deal - being the only candidate that is fully supportive - he sees this as an opportunity to capitalize on the creative industry, using the deal as leverage to promote the sector. "I will tell you without promising you, I like the idea of reorganizing Economic Development Corporation into clusters focusing on sectors that we have the most growth potential - this is one of them."

On arts education, he says he sees the value in problem solving process and being able to step out of the box and use creativity. He spoke of wanting to explore the arts education mandates that are for all intensive purposes "unfunded mandates" - being opposed to these in general. While stating we have to make sure that we have arts in the curriculum, the conversation was about the need to fix education in general. "We need to get back to core curriculum that will align what our kids need to be successful in their lives and their careers. Half can't even graduate high school, and when they do, they go to CCRI and more than 50% need remediation in english and math. Its a horrible indictment in our education process."

He talked of his support of Deborah Gist and the need to "reinvent [the system], so our kids can be prepared not just for jobs, but for life."

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